Kate Middleton Designer Clothing Dress fetches $105,000 at auction

LONDON (Reuters) – A dress worn by Prince William's fiancée Kate Middleton at a university fashion show in 2002 which reportedly sparked the royal's interest in his bride-to-be fetched 65,000 pounds ($105,000) on Thursday.

 Including commission, the see-through mesh slip dress designed by Charlotte Todd sold for 78,000 pounds ($126,000). It had been expected to sell for 8,000-10,000 pounds.

Todd, who was in the saleroom at Kerry Taylor Auctions in London, said she planned to put the proceeds of the sale toward buying a house with her husband.

"I am totally speechless, and feel very emotional," she said. "I really didn't think it would make that amount. I am planning to put some of the money toward a deposit for a house, but perhaps I may use some to change my career."

Earlier, Todd had said: "If it is true that my design helped change the Prince's interest in Kate from platonic to romantic as has been reported, then I am pleased to have played a part -- however minor."

The dress went to a collector in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Middleton and William, who met at St. Andrews University in Scotland in 2001, are to marry in London's Westminster Abbey on April 29.

Among the other items sold on Thursday were two dresses worn by William's late mother Princess Diana -- a Zandra Rhodes pink chiffon dinner gown which sold for 30,000 pounds and a white formal lace evening gown which fetched 36,000 pounds.

A Louis Vuitton vanity case once belonging to U.S. socialite Wallis Simpson, the late wife of British King Edward VIII, went under the hammer for 48,000 pounds, several times its pre-sale estimate of 6-10,000 pounds.

Source: Yahoo! News

Fashion face off: Kate Middleton vs Zara Phillips

There looks like there could be a mini wedding fashion war brewing with the news that Zara Phillips is also engaged.

The Queen’s grand-daughter announced her engagement yesterday and although there are no official pictures yet, we’re sure that when they surface we’ll all be scrambling to get a similar look.

Unlike Kate, Zara’s style is that little bit more classic, which we presume is down to all her sporting hobbies such as horse riding and polo. She’s often spotted out in riding gear or dressed in a hat and frock at events. However, there’s also a playful side to her, and she’s not impartial to a cute on-trend frock or casual attire of linen trousers.

Kate Middleton’s look is more High Street than designer – and we love her for that. Her engagement dress was by Issa and she chose a white dress from Reiss’s last season collection for her official engagement pictures.

She’s also got the casual, yet classic look nailed with a range of floral frocks, boots and jeans. And she’s also a girl after our own hearts opting for hot pants and little tops when she goes clubbing.

But who do you think is the most stylish?

Source: Shiny Style